Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is an extremely versatile non-surgical technique that can be used for fat removal, body contouring, skin rejuvenation, and treatment of hair loss. It is also used to treat chronic pain, psoriasis, bone and joint disorders, lymphatic and vascular disorders. In this article, we're talking about cosmetic mesotherapy injections. Keep reading to get the answers to all your questions, such as what is a meso facial treatment? How can it enhance my beauty? Is mesotherapy safe for weight loss? And can the mesotherapy technique be used for hair loss?

Who was Michel Pistor?

He was a French doctor who invented mesotherapy in the 1950s. Pistor summed up the treatments as "little, rarely, and in the right place."

What is mesotherapy? What is it used for?

Mesotherapy is a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment that involves the injection of therapeutic substances like hormones, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, growth factors, and plant extracts into target areas of the body.

The injections are performed for various reasons, including to remove excess body fat, stimulate hair growth, and revitalize the skin. The procedure is similar to Botox in that you receive injections in a specific area. However, mesotherapy is an extremely versatile technique that can address a variety of issues. Some of its uses include:

• Performing body contouring (removal of fat from the face, stomach, love handles, buttocks, hips, thighs, arms, and legs).
• Reducing cellulite.
• Promoting hair growth to treat alopecia (hair loss).
• Lightening of hyperpigmented skin.
• Reducing scarring.
• Tightening sagging skin.
• Fading fine lines and wrinkles.

How do you prepare for treatment?

Your dermatologist or aesthetic provider will see you in consultation before scheduling you for a mesotherapy procedure. They will obtain detailed health information to determine if you are an appropriate candidate. You will be advised to temporarily stop using certain medications like aspirin and ibuprofen for one week because these medicines can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

What happens during mesotherapy?

Your dermatologist will start the treatment by cleaning your skin. They will then apply numbing cream to the injection site to reduce discomfort. A series of injections will be done using very fine, short needles. Sometimes, a mechanical gun is used to deliver multiple shots together.

Mesotherapy delivers ingredients like medications and nutrients to the connective tissue in the mesoderm (middle layer of skin). For example, substances such as hyaluronic acid can be injected during skin mesotherapy to stimulate collagen production and make the skin smoother and tighter. Substances such as deoxycholic acid and phosphatidylcholine can be used during injection lipolysis to destroy fat cells at the injection site.

Types of solutions used

Some of the solutions doctors use during mesotherapy treatment sessions include:

• Prescription medications like antibiotics or vasodilators (drugs that relax the blood vessels and increase blood flow to the area). This can help heal infections, injuries, and age-related damage.
• Vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts to promote skin healing.
• Enzymes like hyaluronidase and collagenase to improve acne scars, cellulite, and sagging skin.
• Hormones like thyroxin, growth hormone, and calcitonin to improve skin quality and increase hair growth on the scalp.

The underlying principle behind the mesotherapy method is that it allows essential ingredients like nutrients and medicine to come in direct contact with the cells in the target areas, which increases blood flow to the region and has an anti inflammatory effect.

The injections can be performed at varying depths ranging from 1-4 millimeters, depending on the condition that is being treated and the part of the body. Each injection places only a tiny amount of the solution at the injection site.

How effective is mesotherapy?

It is important to understand that while you will notice results after your mesotherapy sessions, the treatments are not a cure-all or magic pill that can provide instant pain relief, fat reduction, hair growth, or reversal of skin damage.

How many treatments will I need?

You will likely need to return for several mesotherapy sessions before you see results. On average, patients need anywhere from 3 to 15 treatments. The sessions are spaced 7-10 days apart in the beginning. Once you start to notice an improvement, the time period between treatments can be stretched to 2-4 weeks. You can improve and maintain your results by following a good skincare routine.

How long does mesotherapy last?

The results of mesotherapy vary greatly from person to person and depend on the type of treatment and the solutions and serums used. Some small studies have been done, which have not found strong evidence that the treatment is effective in fat reduction, stimulation of the hair follicle, or fading of wrinkles. When effective, mesotherapy for the skin lasts around 3-6 months. After that, you will need to return for maintenance therapy.

How does mesotherapy compare to liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure to remove fat tissue, while mesotherapy is a non-surgical method. In terms of body contouring, there is no doubt that the results of liposuction are more dramatic and more consistent. Liposuction is performed under anesthesia. The surgeon inserts a cannula (thin plastic tube) and literally sucks the fatty tissue out of the target area to permanently remove the fat. The fat cells are gone forever unless there is weight gain. Given that it is an invasive procedure, recovery from liposuction can take up to 6 weeks. Also, the risk of complications is higher. Liposuction costs $3,500 on average.

Not everyone wants to undergo an invasive procedure like liposuction. Injection lipolysis is a minimally invasive alternative. It involves the injection of phosphatidylcholine and other ingredients into the fat layer. While it may be somewhat effective in reducing fat deposits, mesotherapy is unlikely to produce dramatic results like liposuction. However, recovery is much quicker after mesotherapy and costs are lower ($250 to $600 per session). Keep in mind, however, that you will likely need multiple sessions before you see results. At this time, experts do not recommend injection lipolysis for body contouring because there isn't enough evidence to support it is effective.

What are the risks and side effects?

When performed by an experienced provider, mesotherapy is a safe procedure with a low risk of complications. The most common side effects are pain, redness, bruising, swelling, itching, sensitivity, and tiny bumps at the treatment site. These symptoms usually resolve on their own within a few days. More serious side effects include infection, rash, scars, and hyperpigmentation (dark patches of skin).

What is the recovery like?

There is no downtime after mesotherapy treatments. You can return to work and normal activities immediately after your session. Some patients prefer to take a day off to recover from any minor discomfort and swelling in the face or injection site.

How much does mesotherapy cost?

The cost of mesotherapy can vary widely depending on the type of treatment and the number of treatments required. On average, each mesotherapy session costs anywhere from $250 to $600. The procedure is an elective cosmetic one and is, therefore, unlikely to be covered by your health insurance policy.

Choosing a provider

Since mesotherapy treatment involves injections in the face and other parts of the body, it is important to choose a licensed and experienced aesthetic provider. Failure to do so can result in serious complications and permanent damage. The MeTime app makes it easy to find top-rated aesthetic providers in your area. You can click and upload pictures and have suggestions sent directly to you. Want to find out if mesotherapy is right for you? Try the MeTime app now!